We will hear a lot in the coming weeks about how NBA teams want to emulate the San Antonio Spurs' successful blueprint.

New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and head coach Monty Williams have been saying this since they took the reigns of the organization four years ago. Both are products of the Spurs system. Both are chips off the old Pop. But they, like other Spurs copycats, are finding the challenge easier said than done.

The Pelicans will enter the 2014-2015 season with a Tim Duncan-like superstar at their core in Anthony Davis but find themselves wanting for the other two-thirds of San Antonio's venerable Big 3. And like every other NBA team, they're still trying to develop a bench to rival the Spurs' spectacular roster of role players.

They're clearly on the right track. But after watching the Spurs dismantle the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, it's clear the Pelicans and the rest of the NBA have a long way to go to catch San Antonio.

This should come as no surprise. Genius and greatness are easy to recognize but difficult to duplicate.

When Sean Payton took over the Saints in 2006, he quickly adopted the New England Patriots' formula for success. He built his teams in the Patriots' image, with smart, tough, selfless and committed players and coaches. The Saints have enjoyed unprecedented success by following the Patriots' blueprint. But despite the impressive run, they've played in only one Super Bowl in eight seasons.

And the Saints have experienced greater success than many of their peers. Several clubs have tried to mimic New England's success by hiring Bill Belichick acolytes, yet each struggled to duplicate the magic. Scott Pioli failed in Kansas City. Romeo Crennel didn't get it done in Cleveland. Josh McDaniel failed miserably in Denver. And the jury is still out on Thomas Dimitroff in Atlanta.

In this regard, the NFL is no different than the NBA or any other business. There is only one Belichick, just as there is only one Gregg Popovich, only one Steve Jobs. Their leadership talent is innate rather than acquired.

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(Dunc Shot is columnist Jeff Duncan's daily take on the world of sports.)